As the wireless sector continues to evolve, innovations in green technology have allowed consumers to easily address environmental sustainability, decrease their carbon footprint and use alternative energy sources. Through advances in Smart Grid technology and new applications, maintaining a healthy awareness of an environmentally aware lifestyle has never been easier. In an ever-changing mobile landscape and with rapid developments in mobile handsets, proper disposal of older devices should continue to serve as a cornerstone of responsible wireless usage.

Why we care

• Clean energy solutions. The deployment of Smart Grid technology will not only reduce carbon emission and improve power reliability, but it will mitigate burdensome energy costs. Two-way sharing of electricity between utilities and consumers will facilitate overarching improvements in energy conservation.
• Growing green jobs. In the ongoing effort to spur economic growth, investing in green technology opportunities should be a top priority for the American economy.
• Sustainability has never been easier. New mobile applications are connecting consumers to valuable energy conservation information in the palm of their hands. Embracing an eco-friendly lifestyle and reducing energy consumption is simplified with new advancements in the wireless space.
• Assisting underserved populations. The best way to reduce e-waste is to find new owners for unwanted cell phones and PDA's. The major wireless carriers typically have programs where you can drop-off your phones for reuse and recycling for members of the Armed Forces, assault victims and other worthy individuals who may not be able to afford a new phone.
• Promoting device recycling. The U.S. Postal Service launched a program to help consumers recycle their small electronics. Free, postage-paid envelopes are available in Post Office lobbies, and some drop-off sites accept phones. The EPA also maintains a webpage to help you locate recycling centers.
• Achieving "zero landfill". New technology is creating innovative recycling programs with "zero landfill" results. New machines "crunch" discarded cell phones and other electronics products into core materials, which are then sold on the open market. Many wireless products contain valuable metals which can be used in new, more sustainable products or melted down and used in other industries.

Many Mobile Future members have eco-friendly policies or initiatives to ensure we can all “go green,” including Alcatel Lucent, AT&T, Cisco, Ericsson, National Association of Neighborhoods, Qualcomm, and T-Mobile.